Saturday, February 28, 2009

OP-TEC Releases Skill Standards for Precision Optics Technicians

WACO, Texas (February 27, 2009) – Dan Hull, Executive Director of The National Center for Optics and Photonics Education (OP-TEC), today announced the official release of The National Precision Optics Skill Standards for Technicians (CORD, 2009).

The National Precision Optics Skill Standards for Technicians represent the consensus of a broad cross-section of U.S. employers regarding the technical and workplace skills required of precision optics technicians. They are designed to give educators and employer advisory committees a solid foundation for generating courses and programs that will enable two-year colleges (and their feeder high schools) to produce globally competitive workers.

Precision optics technicians produce, test, and handle optical components that are used in lasers and sophisticated electro-optical systems for defense, homeland security, aerospace, biomedical equipment, digital displays, alternate energy production, and nanotechnology. They also integrate precision optical components into electro-optical systems and maintain electro-optical systems.

Skill standards are employer-driven statements of expectation as to what workers should know and be able to do on the job. Skill standards are employers’ “specifications.” They are the primary means by which employers communicate to educators their (the employers’) requirements regarding the content of the courses and programs that will produce their future employees. Skill standards are necessary to ensure that technicians are well prepared for the challenges that await them in today’s high-tech, globally engaged workplace.

The National Precision Optics Skill Standards for Technicians were developed by OP-TEC and subject matter experts, reviewed and edited by industry professionals, and approved by leaders from several corporations that employ precision optics technicians. The standards were presented to members of the American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association (APOMA) at their annual meeting on January 28, 2009 in San Jose, California. The standards have been endorsed by APOMA, the Florida Photonics Cluster, and the Rochester (New York) Regional Photonics Cluster.

To request a complimentary bound copy or download a free copy of The National Precision Optics Skill Standards for Technicians (2009), visit http://www.op-tec.org/precisionoptics/skillstandards/.

About OP-TEC
The National Center for Optics and Photonics Education, OP-TEC, is a consortium of two-year colleges, high schools, universities, national laboratories, industry partners, and professional societies funded by the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program. The participating entities of OP-TEC have joined forces to create a secondary-to-postsecondary "pipeline" of highly qualified and strongly motivated students and to empower high schools and community colleges to meet the urgent need for technicians in optics and photonics.

Contact:Dan Hull, Executive Directorhull@cord.org254-744-2805

NOTE: The FPC is one of the organizations that endorsed these new standards.

Jim Pearson


FPC Executive Director

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

US Army Small Business Technology Transfer Program

The Army's Small Business Technology Transfer Program provides $100,000 for defense-related cooperative research and development projects to be conducted jointly by a small business awardee and a nonprofit or federally-funded research institution. Phase I project periods cannot exceed six months. Visit http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/sttr09A/army09A.htm

Sunday, February 22, 2009

LIA Laser Safety Officer Course - Special Discount for FPC Members

LIA is offering all Florida Photonics Cluster Members a $200 discount for any of their employees who wish to attend the Advanced Laser Safety Officer Course that will be held March 11-13, 2009 at CREOL,The College of Optics & Photonics at the University of Central Florida.

More information is below and on the web. Many thanks to Jim Naugle and Peter Baker at LIA for this discount opportunity to their fine course.

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director


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Advanced Laser Safety Officer Course


This course is designed for engineers, scientists, and safety professionals who are assigned Laser Safety Officer (LSO) duties and responsibilities. Individuals working in research and development centers, universities, or manufacturing environments that desire an in-depth, expert knowledge of laser safety issues and calculations will benefit greatly from this course.

This course is worth 3.0 American Board of Industrial Hygiene CM Points, 32 CECs by American Academy of Health Physics and 3.0 Board of Laser Safety CM Points.


What You'll Learn

  • Changes in MPEs and the new Laser Hazard Classification Scheme
  • Updates and key changes to ANSI Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers standard
  • In-depth Laser Bioeffects
  • Hands-on Laser & Optical Measurements
  • Updates on other laser safety standards
  • In-depth Laser Safety Calculations of MPEs NHZs, etc.

For more information go to http://www.laserinstitute.org/store/course/ADVORL09
To register simply fax the attached registration form or contact Gus Anibarro at (407)380-1553, ganibarro@laserinstitute.org

FPC member LightPath Technologies featured in OPN

Check out the nice article on LightPath Technologies in the February 2009 issue of OPN-Optics & Photonics News. It's a nice overview on the company and some of its current activities.
Jim Pearson, FPC Executive Director

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Lockheed Martin Special Symposia - Call for Participation

Submissions Due March 6, 2009

Lockheed Martin is looking for joint R&D, licensing and partnering opportunities towards applied research, intellectual property and early-stage companies focused on the following set of strategic technical topics. We highly encourage you to submit your technology or company for review and consideration by Lockheed Martin. Accepted submissions will be granted a speaking slot in the special symposium, participation in the symposium roundtable, and will receive a full registration waiver for the conference.

Carbon Nanotube - Monday 1:30 pm - Submit abstract(http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2009/symposia/Lockheed_Martin.html)
This special symposium focuses on the state of the art in CNT technologies, specifically in chirality specific (and other) growth and separation techniques, multiscale interface characterization and modeling of composites.

High-Efficiency PV Conversion - Tuesday 10:30 am - Submit abstract(http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2009/symposia/Lockheed_Martin.html)
This special symposium focuses on the state of the art in nano-enabled very high efficiency PV conversion. Interests include emerging PV conversion technologies based off of unique substrates, demonstrated manufacturability, harsh environment management, low weight and very high efficiencies.

Smart Grid - Modeling & Monitoring - Wednesday 3:00 pm - Submit abstract(http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2009/symposia/Lockheed_Martin.html)
This special symposium focuses on the state of the art in smart grid technologies. Lockheed Martin is searching for next generation of modeling, monitoring and management technologies and tools for smart grid deployment.

Energy Storage - Wednesday 4:30 pm - Submit abstract(http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2009/symposia/Lockheed_Martin.html)
This special symposium focuses on the state of the art in energy storage technologies. Lockheed Martin is searching for next generation storage technologies for applications including; utility & grid integration, space and harsh environment, expanded capacity, small scale power, distributed power, portable electronic system power, large scale & grid applications.

Questions? For more information, please contact: Matthew Laudon ( http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2009/symposia/Lockheed_Martin.html#contact )
NSTI 955 Massachusetts Ave. #313 Cambridge MA 02139

Sunday, February 15, 2009

DOE's Small Business Technology Transfer Program

DOE's Small Business Technology Transfer Program provides Phase II awards not to exceed $750,000 each to small business concerns located in the U.S. for research or research and development on advanced concepts concerning important mission-related scientific or engineering problems and opportunities that could lead to significant public benefit. STTR grants must involve substantial cooperative research collaboration between the small business and a single non-profit research institution. The funding is provided for the second phase of a three-phase program. Visit https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/UNID/50936FAD3010A97685257555006801F9/$file/FOA_Notice_09-09_SBIR_Phase_II.pdf

DOE's Small Business Innovation Research Program

DOE's Small Business Innovation Research Program supports research or research and development regarding advanced concepts on energy-related scientific or engineering problems and opportunities that could lead to significant public benefit. Eligible applicants are small business concerns located in the U.S. Visit https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/UNID/50936FAD3010A97685257555006801F9/$file/FOA_Notice_09-09_SBIR_Phase_II.pdf

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) SBIR

On or about Feb. 16, the Volpe National Transportation System Center of the Department of Transportation will release its 2009 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program solicitation for Phase I proposals. Only U.S. businesses with fewer than 500 employees may respond. Response will be due on Apr. 15. More information is available on the DOT SBIR website: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir

Offer of free and discounted newsletters to FPC members

Information Gatekeepers Inc(IGI) is a publisher and consultant in the telecommunications and fiber optics fields. IGI publishes 35 newsletters in the these fields, eight are in fiber optics and optical networks. These newsletters deal with markets, applications and technology worldwide.

IGI is offering a one year free subscription to one of these newsletters to members of the FPC. If members would like to subscribe to other newsletters, they can at a 50% discount. You can down load samples of these newsletters from our web site http://www.igigroup.com/.

The process is simple. member only need to send IGI an e-mail to Jaime Perez listing the newsletter they would like to receive and the free subscription would be started immediately.

Photonics West 2010

For those of you considering exhibiting at Photonics West next year at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, here is some information from this year's show:

  • There will be ~130,000 sq ft more exhibit space. SPIE will not have any growth restrictions on space, nor restrictions on the number of companies that can be part of the Florida Cluster grouping. So there should be plenty of room for more companies to join the Florida Cluster grouping. Info should be on the web soon.
  • Early Bird Contract deadline is 12 March 2009. If you want to be located in the Florida Cluster grouping, just indicate this on your contract. And add any conditions such as corner, option to see location than if you go with your priority points rather than cluster, etc. If you didn't get a contract document, contact Al Ragan at SPIE (alr@spie.org, 360/676-3290)
  • At this year's show, attendance was nearly 1,000 greater than last year: 4500 technical attendees, 7900 exhibit-only attendees, 5150 exhibit reps; total of 17,550
  • "Hot Topics" identified by SPIE at the Exhibitor breakfast on the last day of the show: OCT; Multi-photon spectroscopy; Ultrasound; fiber lasers; Hi-power diode lasers; Solic-state lasers; LEDs, particularly for lighting; Silicon photonics

Please send me an email indicating your interest in being part of the Florida Cluster grouping if you choose this option.

Hope to see you at PW 2010, and perhaps at SPIE's DSS meeting in Orlando in April.

Jim Pearson

FPC Executive Director

Friday, February 6, 2009

ASTRA support of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

Dear Friend of ASTRA:

The Senate recently began debate on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The bill supports robust increases for America's scientific and engineering communities through targeted investments in talent, facilities and critically important projects. These R&D investments will create jobs, grow the economy, promote energy independence, and redress years of stagnant or declining funding for much of the nation's innovation ecosystem.

Voting "yes" for R&D funding contained in the ARRA will also help get our economy back on track. Its passage will help Americans who are suffering through these difficult times. America needs to move forward by creating jobs, inventing new industries, and developing a well-trained scientific, engineering and technical talent pool for the global challenges ahead.

ASTRA supports the package on the table offered by the Senate Leadership and the new Administration. New R&D investments will directly help people, create jobs, provide a jolt to our economy, and restore America's competitive position in world markets.

Please join ASTRA in saying "yes" to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act package as it currently exists by signing the petition found
www.usinnovation.org (just click on this link to the Petition found on our Web Site, read it, and then click on "Sign the Petition" if you agree with us).

This message is being sent to more than 33,000 Friends of ASTRA - please share it with others. Please tell your friends and associates about our efforts to support robust funding for scientific and engineering R&D and STEM Education funding.

Thank you!

Robert S. BoegeExecutive Director
ASTRA,The Alliance for Science & Technology Research in America

Additional information:The Senate version of ARRA contains nearly $13 billion in one-time R&D funding, slightly less than the amount contained in the recently passed House version of the legislation. For a comparison between the House and Senate versions of the bill, see our latest analysis: www.usinnovation.org/files/ASTRACompEconomRecAct209.pdf

For an excellent analysis of how R&D spending creates jobs, see the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) study completed by Daniel Castro and Dr. Robert Atkinson. It can be downloaded by clicking this link: www.usinnovation.org/files/ITIF2009Stimnovation.pdf

This e-mail was sent by ASTRA, located at 1155 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 (USA). To receive no further e-mails, please click here or reply to this e-mail with "unlist" in the Subject line.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

UCF Career Services: TAPPING THE TALENT AT UCF

Thursday, February 19th
Time: 3:00 - 5:00
Location: Human Resources training room # 123
12365 Research Parkway, Suite 360, Orlando, FL., 32826
Fee: $20 ( Free to Incubator Clients)
Please RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or by email, rayala@mail.ucf.edu

Are you interested in hiring UCF students but don't know how to navigate the system? Would you like to know what partnerships exist to connect with students and faculty? Looking for opportunities to get your name out there in front of students?

The Departments of Experiential Learning, Career Services and the College of Business Administration's Office of Corporate Partnerships and Career Management are collaborating to provide a comprehensive workshop on resources and services for community businesses interested in tapping UCF student talent.

This session will outline an overview of the structure of the university system with a focus on the two colleges from which companies primarily recruit: College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Business Administration.

This session will cover how to
  • recruit student interns and co-ops,
  • search for qualified new graduates,
  • connect with faculty and departments,
  • identify ways you can make your company name a household word, and
  • learn about the annual calendar of recruiting events.

You will discover the differences between internships and co-ops and the value they bring to your business. Presenters will also showcase specialized services we offer, such as advice on how to be competitive, what students look for, and how to host an open house or information session.


You will be amazed at the number of resources available and surprised to learn that many are free of charge! You don't have to be a Fortune 500 member to recruit like one! Come and meet the faculty and staff that work directly with your future workforce!